How to sync with Google Drive for desktop

Download printable PDF version of these instructions [PDF, 343 KB]

This guide is for people who mainly work with their documents in Google Drive and want the option of working with files on their desktop.

What does syncing do?

Syncing with Google Drive for desktop lists the folders and files stored in your Google Drive as shortcuts in Google Drive (G:) on your computer. Any required access to files and folders offline must be manually set up while you are online.

Note: Before carrying out the next steps, allow for lots of files/folders possibly taking several hours to sync to Google Drive.

Checking you've set up streaming

Check you are signed into your school Google account.
Click the Google Drive for desktop icon on your taskbar - you may need to select the arrow to view hidden applications:

The Google Drive for desktop app will open.
Click on the settings cog on the top right of the app (‘1’ in the image above).
Select Preferences (‘2’ in the image above).
You will now see:
Click on Google Drive.
Select Stream files.
Close the window.

Setting up folders for offline access

To make documents (other than Google Docs, Sheets etc.) available for editing and updating when you are offline:

Open File Explorer.
Double click on Google Drive (G:) (‘1’ in the image above).
Open My Drive (‘2’ in the image above).
Right click on the folder in My Drive you wish to make available offline (‘1’ in the image above).
Select Offline access (‘2’ in the image above).
Select Available offline (‘3’ in the image above).